A man has been convicted and sentenced in a long standing case involving the theft of lemons.

Paulo Tekotia Enoka Teio appeared before Justices of the Peace Tangi Taoro, Vania Kenning and Nga Mataio in the Criminal Court in Avarua on Wednesday. 

He had previously pleaded guilty to the theft of lemons.

There were two charges, theft and unlawfully found.

Defence counsel Mark Short said he had found it to be an interesting case, in the fact the defendant was helping the victim with gardening, and was told by the victim, he could have some lemons.

Someone else went to the property and complained to the victim that all the lemons had gone.

A complaint was then lodged with Police.

Short said he told his client that the best way to deal with the matter was to give the victim some money.

The defendant gave the victim $200.

The victim did not want to sign anything to confirm the payment had been made.

“I have never really had a case like this before,” Short said.

Short asked that the court show leniency.

The defendant’s partner was in New Zealand and was supporting him financially.

She said there was a job for him in New Zealand and that he needed to be able to travel there to see their two-month-old daughter.

JP Taoro said, in February 2022, Teio stole 40 kilograms of lemons valued at $200.

Teio had previously been before the courts on other matters, and the court noted his travel plans had been put on hold because of the case.

He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentencing within 12 months on both charges, which would be served concurrently

Court costs of $100 were ordered.